New website categories to look for at Surf For Local

For those of you that use your membership to discover new websites, coupon offers, entrepreneur opportunities and more. I have added some new categories to the surf networks. The category list is below and the new ones are in bold;

• General/Opportunity Sites  (Independent Rep opportunities)
• General/Products & Services (Local and national Business Offers)
• General/Information Sites (Non-biased Information based media)
• General/Blogs (Personal Blogs)
• Music/Bands
• Music/Musicians
• Music/Services
• Music/Live (Other live music related sites ie; venues, publications)
• General/Social Profiles (Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Linkedin * be sure to log in to the social sites prior to surfing to view them)
• North East Real Estate
• North East Agriculture & Farms
• North East Equine & Tack
• North East Sports Teams
• North East Business Professionals

The idea of surf by category is to direct surfers to specific sites that they are more interested in viewing while building traffic credit for their own site. It can be used on regular (auto) surf but the purpose is designed for the manual surf networks. If you do not see a category that suits your needs please feel free to suggest one. If your looking for local coupon sites you can find those in the “General/Products & Services” category.

If your interested in being a member for the reason of discovering new sites, offers and opportunities and you do not have a site or blog to promote I have some ideas for you. For one, you can use our promotional splash page (get paid on referrals), a social profile page or help promote a local organization by hosting their site under your membership.

Start discovering new local websites today at http://SurfForLocal.com

Making Money From Spam Mail?

Here is a idea for Surf For Local members. Send your spam mail to us!

There may be money waiting for you in your SPAM box! Here’s how…
1, First you need to be a member of out traffic exchange. Make sure you enter your website’s, blogs ad ads!
2, While logged in go to these links; “members area” to “your info” to “refer us”
3, Copy your Surf For Local referral link. It should look like this; http://surfforlocal.com/Surf/Referral.php?ID=your ID# here
4, Now open your email and edit your signature. Copy and edit this into the field. This is going to be your opt out message;

Hello, I found your email in my Spam Box. Please unsubscribe me. As an alternative you can find me along with thousands of others at free to little cost at this site where I review such offers. In fact, you can send your emails direct to the members via the secure internal personal mailbox system. This site will send you tons of traffic so do not hesitate. I am a member because I actually benefit from reading your offers here because I receive hits to my own site for doing so. Sign up for a limited time offer free member slot today.

http://surfforlocal.com/Surf/Referral.php?ID=Place your ID# here or copy and paste your referral link from the website.

That said, you take me off your email list because I entertain all offers on SFL

Sincerely,
YOUR NAME

5, Now open the email from advertisers that you feel is safe and simply reply and use the signature to make it faster so you do not have to type or copy/paste all the time. If you really want to opt out make sure you also use their link as some may view your reply email some may not and others may come back as undeliverable.

Other notes;

Be careful not to create a message or send that is considered as spam!

Make sure your edit your personal settings on Surf For Local and place your Paypal email address so we can pay you.

This method for making money has not yet been tested so results if any will vary.

Stay tuned for more money making opportunities!

Alternative Advertising For Google Ad Space Users

For those of you who use google ads sense ads on your blogs who are stymied by not being able to use a traffic exchange to promote your blog (s) here are some suggested work a rounds that may work within your Google restrictions. Be sure to read your google ad sense policies again to make sure as what you read below is only our opinion of what may be tolerable;

1, Webmasters may consider using a “text advertising exchange” rather than a full site exchange. You simply place a code on your site to display a block of text ads (from one to eight) onto your site. Then place a return link onto your text ad back to your site. It is a simple alternative and it may even be within Google’s perimeters of proper advertising techniques. The text ads go out to our traffic exchange members at SFLM, a larger network of exchanges (VS-Ten) of which we belong to and also to independently owned sites such as yours. To do this simply go to our site, become a free member, promote us page, then to “text ad exchange”. Create your text ad block, copy and place the script/code onto your blog. Then go to our ad placement section and place your text ad onto our text ad exchange. Your done!

Note; In order to maintain your SFLM exchange membership you will have to surf so many sites per month. This will help you gain advertising credits to use for your text ads as well. We also suggest you become a paid member which is only a few dollars per month through paypal.

2, Create a splash page to promote on traffic exchanges such as Surf For Local Music (SFLM). Your splash page should represent your blog with descriptive text as well as little snippits of your blogs with links back to those pages.

To create a splash page try; Google Page Creator

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How to set up our external ad exchange on your site!

From; Glen Peladeau
Surf For Local Music
A cooperative ad exchange network!
http://www.surfforlocalmusic.com/
========================================

Hello Webmasters, Bloggers and E Zine Publishers!

At our traffic exchange we offer many ways to help you increase your Search Engine Rating and ultimately enhance Search Engine placement. One way to do this is to increase the number of back links to your site. In order to do this you either have to ask alot of webmasters or you can take advantage of our external ad exchange at SFLM. You can help us to increase our web of return links by placing our external exchange on your site and the you can place a text ad or mini banner or wide banner ad (or all three) to increase your “back links” status.

When members (new and old) do this it benefits everyone in our network because it increases both ours and yours; advertisement visibility. Not only do you receive a return link on our ad exchange listing page but you receive more credits added to your balance and if anyone signs up to the exchange under you, you receive more credits for the referral and if they become a paid member a commission on top of that.

How do you do this?

Non-members click here to sign up first;

1st; Log in and then click onto the following links;

#2, Go to ‘Members Area’ link.
#3, Go to ‘Your Info’ link
#4, Go to ‘Promote Us’
#5 Scroll down and pick one or any combination of the of the three available exchanges.

Note; Open your website editor and find an appropriate place for the ad exchange.

How to example;

Text ads; These are csutomizable to your site’s colors.
First decide how wide you would like the ad area to cover on your site. Then, decide how many ads down and accross you want.kepn mind that the total maximum number of ads is 12. Third, using the color chart on the right place the color numbers into the form to display your ad to your liking. You can keep playing with any variations above untill you get it right. Just keep hitting redraw after each time you change something.

How to get it into your site?
The html code in the box below is automaticaly generated after you hit redraw. Simply, place your curser in the box, go to edit and select ‘select all’ or press these keys on your keyboard; Ctrl & A at the same time. Now, open your site editor, the html tool box, then paste it in where you would like the ad exchange to appear. Then re-publish yours site.

That is it. Don’t forget to send me an email with either your your name or member ID so I can set up the return link for you and if I am offering a promo at the time you read this any promotional credits coming your way. The more you participate in SFLM the more I will work for you to bring traffic to your site.

If you like this blog then how about downloading my blog update service so you can stay on top of what is happening with SFLM; Click here

What you do not have a site or blog to place it on?

Try; www.tripod.com (free sites)

Or place your own blog right here on blogspot (free).

Just do not forget to sign up to SFLM and place our external ad exchange.

At the very least please leave a kind comment .

Thanks again,

Glen Peladeau
Eccentric Musician Company
Publisher of; www.SurfForLocalMusic.com traffic exchange network

Micro Economy? A positive side effect of a traffic exchange

What is the definition and purpose of a traffic exchange network?

For those of you that are “in the know” you recognize the name and associate it with a place to bring major hits to your site, advertise your product or service and with some determination, gain some new customers, clients, members and sales. What you might not understand is that the word ‘network’ is also a powerful and meaningful term here. Before we get to what the term network means to us lets look at this self penned term ‘micro-economy’. We all know that in our outside world we are in a bad economy. But what happens when we start taking advantage of products and service offered within our little network? We create in a sense a ‘micro-economy’. Is that what a traffic exchange network is? Well your could say that but not exactly, it is that and alot more. What would happen if the members in our traffic exchange supported each other’s businesses by buying products and services from each other?

Basicaly what we’ve really established here is a micro-econmic network. We’ve created our own and can benefit tremendously if we support each other’s businesses. So the next time your thinking of buying a product or service why not refer to the members here at our traffic exchange network? We have all types of businesses! From independent reps offering wireless internet to hosting providers, health food and even coupon pages from local and nationaly advertised products. You support their business and they’ll support yours. This is part of what a network is about. The other part is helping others by sharing your knowledge through your blogs and interaction with other members.

So if you have not joined a traffic exchange network. Why not join us at http://www.surfforlocalmusic.com/ ? We are working to improve our site’s effectiveness everyday. By supporting us and participating you help us promote local music acts from New England online. These music sites draw attention from the local music fans. Most of whom had never even heard of a traffic exchange and what it does until we came along. This only help us expand our network and it helpls you reach new prospects for your business as well as new recruits to help your business grow!

If you participate in our network, support the other members and share your knowledge there isn’t any reason why your business won’t grow. With this you should be on your way to be independently wealthy by taking control and participating in our own little “micro economy” here at Surf For Local Music (SFLM). We are not only here to promote you but we are here to help you succeed.

About us;
SFLM is an advanced cooperative advertising traffic exchange network. We have 4 internal networks and 4 external. Place an ad with us and it will be rotated though over 185 other traffic exchanges (VS-Ten). You can start off as a free member and work the system by surfing our networks in exchange for ad credits (added to your balance while surfing). You then assign those credits to a URL (site ad), banner or text ad.

If you do not have a site to promote, don’t worry. Just surf our PTS manual exchange to find one that is right for you. You will be making extra cash in no time it just takes effort, patience and participation in a traffic exchange like ours at SFLM. As you can see we encourage inter- member participation and support. This is what makes a network like ours effective.

The value of a traffic exchange?

By Glen Peladeau, Owner of Eccentric Musician Company and publisher of the Traffic Exchange “www.SurfForLocalMusic”. Also Publishes; www.NewEnglandOpenMicNight.com
=================================================================
What is the value of a traffic exchange? To most I believe it is to simply get a ton of hits to their site and in turn receive a better search engine rating. Ok, fair enough. This is mosty the reason why people like “Auto Surfs” because it delivers this service rather nicely. But is there more to it than that?
Should there be more? I was certainly hoping so when I envisioned SFLM to bring attention to the live music scene here in the New England area. That is why I also created the manual exchange. It exists to strictly promote the web sites of Musicians and Bands from the area. I thought it would be a great ideidea and a different way to present these sites.

Then I expanded on the idea and there are three more networks on SFLM (four in total). The other two also have very specific site designations. Paid to Surf (PTS) Manual is for non-recruit web sites of Home Based businesses, Independent Reps and Network Marketers to show their goods and services.
PTS Auto is for Companies and Marketing Consultants to promote their marketing and advertising Services. Finaly SFLM sports an “auto” surf that we call regular surf. This is for all the various types of sites that we support and that operate within our site policy usage.

Back to the Question though… Why SURF these other networks? Where is the value? Other than building credits to show your own site, Surfing is a great way to show your support for your peers in the industry. Surfing with the state of mind that if you “give” a little bit you will also “recieive”. Also many of these offerings are from the “Non_Corporate World” and are offered from Independent Reps who are promoting products that are made here in the USA. People Like you who took the initiaive to break out on their own with the quest to be independent from the “Corporate” world. Even if your a Corporate person you probably at the very least respect thier drive and determination to be an entrepreneur.

I see Traffic exchange “Networks” as a way to build your business, as another way to network with others, to discover others like yourself. I would like to spread this idea of what a traffic exchange should be rather than what it is becomming or Is now. We as Traffic Exchange owners are shaping our own industry and I do not like where it is headed at this point. There is more value to an exchange thant just using it to increase your “traffic”. Also I should point out that on SFLM I reward those who do not “over surf”. Out of the Top 25 surfers of the week I pick the Top surfer (Who has not over surfed) and one randomly pick surfer and include them in our weekly stats email. I also plug them on my twitter account at www.twtter.com/glenp. Over surfers are those who surf on average of more than 3 hours per week. I have built a surf calculator to go by.

I hope that this article was inspiring and informative to both members and owners of traffic exchanges.
If your into promoting a site on a TR EX I believe you should support your most favorite exchange and those who advertise on them by purchasing their products and services.

How to put SFLM to work for your music site!

1, What does SFLM stand for?

Surf For Local Music.com

2, Why was it created?

To not only promote musicians on Eccentric Musician Distribution Contract but also other local (New England) bands.

3, What does the site do?

The site has four Networks or as some call it “Site Rotators” Your Music Site’s URL is placed into one of these called “Manual Surf”. As a member surfs through the music sites placed on the network that member earns credits for each site viewed.

4, What are these credits used for? The credits you accumulate as a member are used to promote your own music site. You simply assign them to your site on the network. Alternatively, You can also assign them to banners or text ads also placed on the site.

5, Are there any restrictions?

Yes and for good reason. Musician & Band sites are located on “Manual Surf” only. Banners and Text ads can be placed on “Auto Surf” and “Manual Surf” as well as “Paid Auto” and “Paid Manual”. There are restrictions on the type of sites and how long it takes to load up in a browser as well. Typically, A site should load up in about 7 seconds but with Myspace sites that are loaded with graphics and media this can take up to 20 minutes for a dial up user. MySpace sites are being phased out of rotation because of the high maintenance involved in keeping the rotation moving smoothly.

6, So MySpace sites are no longer allowed?

Yes new accounts are restricted from placing myspace sites. There are a few left on the site but they are from our pre launch period and they will be phased out and replaced by new member sites.

7, So lets say I have a band site. Say for example…”<a href=”http://www.surfforlocalmusic.com”=>www.TheSteamRollerBluesBand.com!</a>”. I go to your site sign up as a member and place this URL address in the “Manual Surf” network and then what?

You go surfing! You go to the “members area” link and surf the network your site is located on. In his case it is manual. You view some sites and each time you do you get credits to promote your own site on the network. When your site burns through the credits you go surfing again for some more.

8, OK, So my site is seen by others like me who are signed up to this network? Precisely, and you can really make it work for you if you get involved as an active member. If you refer others to the site you can send an email out to those who you refer. So a band for example can use the site to email their fans who also use the site.

9, OK, so it’s not just bands and musicians that are viewing each other’s ads? Correct…That is the goal past our pre launch period anyway. We are waiting for some upgrades to the site that will make it “Fan Friendly”. Once this happens we will focus our direction and advertise to the live music fans of New England.

10, Do you have any incentives for bands and musicians to sign up now?

Yes, Upon sign up you will get 50 credits after you surf only 20 sites. Also, If you find us on myspace you will still get 25 credits for signing up as a friend (<a href=”http://www.myspace.com/noshinobi”=>SFLM on MySpace</a>). So these 75 initial credits will be maintained though out the pre launch period. When we do our public release we will refresh these credits and ad them to what ever balance you have at that time.<BR>

11, What about paid members?

Paid members will also get their initial credits refreshed. Paid members are very important to us at SFLM. They are the bread and butter to our survival. They are what influences us to offer “FREE MP3s”, Merchandise and concert ticket give aways to attract new music fans to our site. There is a great feeling you get when you give FREE MP3s away and are still able to pay the band for them.

“Well, Thanks Glen for explaining how the Surf For Local Music network operates. I’ll be sure to log in when I get back to the computer.” Your welcome, take your time and poke around while your their. Send me an e-mail to there is a place for it right on the site.

Cool…so that is http://www.SurfForLocalMusic.com ? Yes.

How to put a banner on our traffic exchange!

 

First go to SFLM and log in and then;

 

• Go to your “members area” link. (top of page)
• Go down three link levels and click onto the “Banners” link (top of page)
• When you arive at the right page it will say “Banner Information” at the top. Any existing banner(s) that are currently running will be listed on the top of the page.

Below this is the area where you will ad your static banner. Currently we do not except flash banners.

The first selection to make is the Display Type. You have two choices Credit Only Banner and Paid ot Click banner

1. Credit Only Banner; This banner would be placed on our “Manual Surf” and “Auto Surf” networks.
2. Paid ot Click banner; This banner would be placed on our “Paid Manual Surf” and “Paid Auto Surf” networks.

The second selection to make is the Initial State. Again two choices. Choose Pause if you don’t want this banner to be in the rotation or if at somepoint you want to stop it and switch it off with another one. Marketers do this to keep the ads new and refreshed so they stand out to the eye. Choose “Active” if you want to place it in the network for people to see and respond to.

The third selection to make is the “Description”. Simply enter a short description of the banner so you can easily identify which one is running in the list. This is only for your eyes.

The fourth selection to make is the “Destination”. Use this format to start your code out to insure proper placement; Http://www.YOUR SITE HERE. com.

Now, you may have copied the code from a free banner maker service online or an affiliate site or perhaps someone emailed it to you. The code would look something like the example below;

a href=”http://www.eccentricnewnegland.com”>

img src=”http://www.eccentricnewengland.com/images/_____. jpg” border=0></a

*Note; the code above is broken so it would appear in text correctly.

In this code, the top URL would be what I (You) would enter into this field. Just copy this portion of the code) and enter it or paste into the “desintation” field. It ends with . com or what ever your URL address would be for the landing page.

The sixth selection to make is the “Exclusive” field. A simple yes or no here but allow me to explain what this is. When you enter a website’s SFLM system you have a choice of attaching this banner to it by entering the banner’s ID number into the edit site area. This banner would then be displayed at the same time the web site is when someone surfs to it. Selecting “Yes” would tell the system to only display the banner when the site is viewed. “NO” means that the banner would be displayed anywhere within the “surf network” you have assigned it to (above).

The seventh selection to make is the “Banner location” field. This is the page where your original graphic is placed. If your not sure you can right click onto the picture and select properties. This should reveal the original location. In the example code above it would be the bottom selection that you would want to copy and past it into this field. It ends with a pic file extension like .jpg or gif.

The eight and last selection to make is the “Link Prompt” field. This is the text you would see if you were to roll your mouse pointer over the picture. Simply just enter a compelling short notice to entice the would be viewer to click onto the banner.

That’s it! I hope this helps you. Now, If you don’t have a banner you can design one online for free at mybannermaker.com. Latter on today (08/02/2008) go to www.SurfForLocalMusic.com and surf to find my tip page on how to spice up you email, myspace, blogs and web sites with text links!

Wishing you the most traffic!

Glen P @ SFLM

 

 

Surf for Local Music Welcomes You!

Hi, This Blog is new and under construction as of 7/18/08.  This is going to be the place where “YOU” contribute to making my site at Surf For local Music.com a better service than what it already is. 

Ok, What is it you ask?  Surf For local Music is a Traffic Exchange for Music Sites that orignating from New England. It is a promotional service, a networking group, a source of income, advertising agent, and a website heavy alert service.

OK, I got all that up to the point where you said “website heavy alert service”. What in Gods name is that?

If your a member of SFLM (Free member or paid) your site has to meet certain guidelines in order to stay active on our traffic networks called “Surf”.  There are four of them. If for some reason your site (like myspace) starts to get to heavy to load into an average browser (average load in time is 15 seconds) SFLM alerts you the minute one of of our staff members find you or a surfer reports your site. There are other reasons why your site will get reprorted to; Explicit content; Graphics, Pictures, Music (Lyrics), text, framebreakers, pop ups and a few more.  All of these are reported to be problems for search engines, site rankings, attracting freinds (fans) to your myspace…etc.  Remember the average user in the US does not have hi speed internet. Don’t assume they do an load up your myspace with big beautifull graphics. No one is going to wait 20 minutes for your page to load to hear your music!  SFLM offers this service free as part of our site guideline reporting system.  So if your site is reported think of it as a good thing.  Someone probably posted a heavy graphic when they commented. Watch out for those! They will stop your freind (fan) counter dead in it’s tracks.  When I search for bands on myspace.  I can usually tell if your site is loaded jsut by looking at the freind to play ratio on your stats.

Check out Surf for Local Music today and become a member, ad your site, find new music, network with new bands, and enjoy the fast loading sites that we host as a traffic site.

Join SFLM Today!